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Abstract:

A sling for lifting pallet-mounted cargo includes: an upper pair of
telescopic beams; a yoke connecting the upper beams; a lower pair of
telescopic beams; and load lines connecting each of the upper beams to a
respective lower beam. The sling may further include adjustable hangers
connecting the load lines to the upper beams.

Claims:

1. A sling for lifting pallet-mounted cargo, comprising: an upper pair of
telescopic beams; a yoke connecting the upper beams; a lower pair of
telescopic beams; and load lines connecting each of the upper beams to a
respective lower beam.

2. The sling of claim 1, further comprising adjustable hangers connecting
the load lines to the upper beams.

3. The sling of claim 1, wherein: the yoke is connected to each upper
beam by a bracket and fastener, and each fastener also connects a housing
of the respective upper beam with a mandrel of the upper beam.

4. The sling of claim 1, wherein the load lines are chains.

5. The sling of claim 1, further comprising a lifting eye connected to
the yoke for receiving a load line of a crane.

6. The sling of claim 5, wherein: the lifting eye is part of a lifting
tongue, and the lifting tongue further comprises an adjustable bracket
connecting the tongue to the yoke.

7. A crane, comprising: a base, comprising: a cargo bed welded or
fastened to a frame; and the frame for fastening to a chassis of a truck
or trailer; a boom rotatable relative to the base between a vertical
position and a horizontal position; a boom hoist operable to raise and
lower the boom between the positions; a load hoist operable to hoist the
pallet-mounted cargo located proximate to a rear end of the truck or
trailer when the boom is in the vertical position and operable to carry
the pallet-mounted cargo toward the truck or trailer as the boom is
lowered to the horizontal position, thereby loading the pallet-mounted
cargo onto the cargo bed; and the sling of claim 1 connectable to a load
line of the load hoist.

8. The crane of claim 7, wherein the boom comprises: a pair of columns
pivoted to the base; and one or more beams forming an isosceles trapezoid
(minus a long base) and fastened or welded to the columns.

9. The crane of claim 8, wherein: a length of the columns ranges from six
to sixteen feet, a width of the trapezoid ranges from five to nine feet,
and a height of the trapezoid ranges from two to six feet.

10. The crane of claim 8, wherein the boom further comprises a rail
fastened or welded to each column, each rail having stake pockets formed
therealong.

11. The crane of claim 7, wherein the boom hoist comprises a pair of
piston and cylinder assemblies (PCAs).

13. The crane of claim 12, further comprising a hydraulic power unit for
operating the PCAs.

14. The crane of claim 7, further comprising a bumper fastened or welded
to the frame.

15. The crane of claim 14, further comprising a controller disposed in a
side compartment of the bumper for operation of the boom hoist and load
hoist.

16. The crane of claim 7, further comprising one or more utility boxes
fastened or welded to the frame.

17. A truck, comprising: an engine; four or more wheels, at least one
wheel operably coupled to the engine; a cab, comprising: a steering
wheel; an accelerator pedal; a brake pedal; and a gear shifter; a
chassis; and the crane of claim 7.

[0003] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a pallet
accessory for a truck-mounted crane.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] Loading and unloading cargo onto/from trucks has typically been
accomplished using a forklift. A forklift is an expensive and cumbersome
piece of equipment. When picking up or delivering cargo to/from locations
in the field, a forklift has to be transported with the truck.
Transporting the forklift requires towing a trailer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a pallet
accessory for a truck-mounted crane. In one embodiment, a sling for
lifting pallet-mounted cargo includes: an upper pair of telescopic beams;
a yoke connecting the upper beams; a lower pair of telescopic beams; and
load lines connecting each of the upper beams to a respective lower beam.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] So that the manner in which the above recited features of the
present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular
description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by
reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended
drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings
illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore
not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit
to other equally effective embodiments.

[0008]FIG. 1 illustrates a truck-mounted crane, according to one
embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate operation of the truck-mounted crane. FIG.
2A illustrates the truck-mounted crane in the vertical position hoisting
cargo. FIG. 2B illustrates the truck-mounted crane in an intermediate
position. FIG. 2c illustrates the truck-mounted crane in a horizontal
position having loaded the cargo onto the truck.

[0010]FIG. 3 illustrates a sling for operation with the truck-mounted
crane, according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIGS.
3A-3E are enlargements of portions of FIG. 3.

[0011]FIG. 4 illustrates operation of the sling with the truck-mounted
crane.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012]FIG. 1 illustrates a truck-mounted crane 100, according to one
embodiment of the present invention. The crane 100 may be fastened to a
chassis of a pickup truck 1, such as a chassis cab truck. The truck 1 may
include a cab 5, such as a standard, extended, or crew cab. The truck 1
may further include an engine (not shown), such as a gasoline, diesel,
hybrid, or natural gas. The front portion of the truck 1, especially the
engine, may serve as a counterweight for the crane 100. The cab 5 may
further include a steering wheel, a driver's seat, such as a chair or
bench, a gear shifter, an accelerator pedal, a brake pedal, and other
instruments and controls. The truck 1 may further include a transmission,
such as a standard or automatic, a drive shaft, a rear differential, and
two or more axles. The truck 1 may further include four or more wheels
10, such as six. The truck 1 may be rear wheel drive or four wheel drive.
Alternatively, the crane 100 may be mounted on a trailer, such as a
low-boy or flat bed and may include a counterweight.

[0013] The crane 100 may include a boom 105, a boom hoist 110, a load
hoist 115, and a base 150. The base 150 may include a cargo bed 120, a
rear bumper 125, cab protector 130, one or more utility boxes 135, a
frame 140, power unit (not shown), and controller (not shown). The crane
100 may have a load capacity corresponding to a cargo capacity of the
truck 1, such as greater than or equal to one-half ton, three-quarter
ton, one ton, one and one-half ton, or two tons.

[0014] The boom 105 may include one or more structural members, such as
columns 105c and beams 105b. The boom 105 may be made from a high
strength metal or alloy, such as steel. The steel may be plain carbon,
low alloy, high strength-low alloy or stainless. The structural members
105b,c may be rectangular (i.e., square) tubing or other structural
shapes, such as C, L, I, or pipe. The structural members 105b,c may be
welded together or fastened together, such as using bolts and nuts. The
boom 105 may be pivoted 105p to the frame 140 using fasteners and
bearings or bushings. The pivots 105p may be located at a rear end of the
frame 140. The boom 105 may form a three dimensional shape. The columns
105c may be parallel to a longitudinal axis of the truck 1 in the
horizontal position and may be spaced apart a distance corresponding to
the width of the cab 5, such as five to nine feet. A length of each
column 105c may correspond to a length of a cargo portion of the chassis,
such as six to sixteen feet. The beams 105b may form a shape conforming
to a shape of the cab 5 and cab protector 130, such as an isosceles
trapezoid (minus the long base). A height of the trapezoidal portion may
correspond to a height of the cab above the cargo portion of the chassis,
such as two to six feet.

[0015] The boom 105 may further include a rail 106 fastened or welded to
each column 105c. Each rail 106 may be disposed along an outer surface of
each column 105c. Each rail 106 may have stake pockets 106p formed
therein and the stake pockets may be spaced along each rail at regular
intervals. The stake pockets 106p may receive stakes (not shown) for
securing the cargo 205. The rails 106 may be made from any of the
materials and shapes discussed above for the columns 105c and beams 105b.

[0016] The boom 105 may be rotated about the pivots 105p relative to the
base 150 between a vertical position and a horizontal position by the
boom hoist 110. The boom hoist 110 may include one or more hydraulic
piston and cylinder assemblies 110 (PCAs). A first end of each PCA 110
may be pivoted 110p to each column 105c and a second end of each PCA may
be pivoted to the frame 140. Extension of each PCA 110 may raise the boom
105 and retraction of each PCA may lower the boom. Alternatively, an
electric motor and lead screw may be used instead of each PCA 110.

[0017] The bed 120 may be a rectangular plate formed from any of the boom
materials, discussed above. A width of the bed 120 may correspond to a
width of the cab. A length of the bed 120 may correspond to a length of a
cargo portion of the chassis. The bed 120 may extend past the chassis to
cover the bumper 125. The bed 120 may have a pocket 120p formed therein.
A trailer hitch ball 121 (see FIG. 2A) may be disposed in the pocket 120p
and fastened to the frame 140 sub-flush with the bed so as not to
interfere with cargo hauling. The trailer hitch ball 121 may receive a
gooseneck of a trailer (not shown).

[0018] The frame 140 may be fastened or welded to the bed 120 and may be
fastened to the truck chassis. Alternatively, the frame 140 may be welded
to the chassis. The frame 140 may be made of any of the shapes and
materials discussed above for the boom 105. The frame 140 may form a
recess 140r. Each recess 140r may receive a corresponding column 105c and
rail 106 in the horizontal position so that the column and rail is flush
or substantially flush with the bed 120. The frame 140 may have an
opening 140o formed through a surface defining the recess 140r for
passage of each PCA 110. Alternatively, the crane 100 may be manufactured
with the truck 1 so that the chassis and the frame 140 may be integral.

[0019] The cab protector 130 (a.k.a. headache rack) may serve to protect a
rear window of the cab 5 from shifting cargo 205. The cab protector 130
may be made from columns and beams and have an outer shape conforming to
the cab shape, such as an isosceles trapezoid. The columns and beams may
be any of the shapes and materials discussed above for the boom 105. The
cab protector 130 may be coupled to the bed 120 by reception of column
ends by stake pockets formed in the bed. Alternatively, the cab protector
130 may be fastened or welded to the bed 120 or frame 140.

[0020] The base 150 may further include panels 122. The panels 122 may be
made from plates or sheets formed from any of the boom materials,
discussed above. The panels 122 may be welded or fastened to the frame
140.

[0021] The bumper 125 may be made from plate formed from any of the boom
materials, discussed above. A width of the bumper 125 may correspond to a
width of the cab 5. The bumper 125 may be fastened or welded to the frame
140 and/or the chassis. The bumper 125 may have one or more compartments
formed therein. The bumper 125 may include a compartment for each PCA
110. The bumper 125 may further include another compartment to house the
power unit and controls. Tail lights 126 may be fastened to the bumper
125. A hitch receiver 127 may also be fastened or welded to the bumper
125. The bumper may form one or more steps 125s to facilitate climbing of
the driver onto the bed 120.

[0022] The power unit may include a hydraulic fluid reservoir, a hydraulic
pump operable to pressurize the hydraulic fluid, a manifold (including
valves), and a hydraulic conduit. The hydraulic pump may be electric and
compatible with the truck's accessory power system, such as twelve VDC.
Alternatively, the hydraulic pump may be located in the engine
compartment and connected to the crankshaft via the serpentine belt.
Alternatively, the hydraulic pump may be driven by a power take off shaft
connected to the powertrain at any location therealong, such as at the
transmission (rear wheel drive or four wheel drive) or transfer case
(four wheel drive). In either alternative, a clutch may be in
communication with the controller to selectively engage the hydraulic
pump with the engine or transmission. A hydraulic conduit, such as
tubing, may extend from the manifold to each PCA 110. The manifold may be
in fluid communication with an outlet of the pump and the reservoir. An
inlet of the pump may be in fluid communication with the reservoir. The
controller may be operably coupled to the pump and the manifold valves.

[0023] The load hoist may be a winch 115 fastened to the boom 105. The
winch 115 may be fastened to a beam 105b parallel to a width of the truck
at a center of the beam 105b. The winch 115 may include a load line 116,
such as wire rope, a drum having the wire rope wrapped there-around, a
housing, a motor, and a brake. The wire rope may be made from a high
strength metal or alloy, such as high strength-low alloy steel, tool
steel or spring steel. The motor may be electric and compatible with the
truck's accessory power system. Alternatively, the motor may be
hydraulic. An electrical conduit (not shown) may lead within or along the
boom 105 to the controls. The crane 100 may further include a floodlight
117 fastened to the boom 105. Another electrical conduit may lead from
the floodlight 117 to the controls within or along the boom.

[0024] The controller may include a driver-operable interface, such as
levers or buttons, for selectively operating the PCAs 110, the load hoist
115, and the floodlight 117. The controller may plug into and be
compatible with the truck's accessory power system. The controller may be
located in a side compartment of the bumper 125 so that the driver may
stand clear of the cargo 205 as it is being hoisted and loaded.

[0025] The utility boxes 135 may each be fastened or welded to the frame
140. The utility boxes 135 may be made from plate or sheet formed from
any of the boom materials, discussed above. Each utility box may include
a door (not shown) having a lock. The utility boxes 135 may stow stakes,
chains, and/or straps for securing the cargo 205 once the cargo is
hoisted and loaded. The utility boxes 135 may also stow one or more
hoisting accessories (not shown) for the load line 116, such as a sling
300, or one or more accessories for the boom, such as cross-braces, for
loading a bail of hay.

[0027] The cargo 205 may include items, such as hay bails, animal
carcasses, or a sump pump. Once the driver has backed the truck 1 into
proximity of the cargo 205, the driver may park the truck. The driver may
then exit the truck 1 and access the controller. The driver may then
raise the boom 105 to the vertical position by operating the PCAs 110.
The boom 105 may extend longitudinally away from the truck 1 in the
vertical position, thereby placing the winch 115 at a position to hoist
the cargo 205 located proximately behind the bumper 125. The driver may
then operate the winch 115 to lower the load line 116 to the cargo 205.
The driver may then fasten the load line 116 to the cargo 205. The driver
may then operate the winch 115 to hoist the cargo 205 such that a bottom
of the cargo is aligned or just above the bed 120.

[0028] The driver may then operate the PCAs 110 to move the boom 105 to
the horizontal position. As the boom 105 is lowered to the horizontal
position, the winch 115 may carry the cargo 205 forward along a
longitudinal path toward the cab 5 until the cargo rests on the bed 120,
thereby also loading the cargo onto the truck 1. The winch 115 may rest
at a position proximate to a rear end of the cab 5 in the horizontal
position. Once in the horizontal position, the driver may secure the
cargo 205 to the frame 140. The load line 116 may be left connected to
the cargo 205 and serve as a back-up should the cargo break-free of
tie-downs. The driver may enter the truck 1 and transport the cargo 205.
Once reaching the destination, the driver may unload the cargo by
reversing operation of the crane 100. A lifting hook (not shown, see FIG.
4A of the '184 application) may be fastened to an eye splice formed in an
end of the load line 116.

[0029]FIG. 3 illustrates a sling 300 for operation with the truck-mounted
crane 100, according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 3A-3E are enlargements of portions of FIG. 3. The sling 300 may be
operable to engage a pallet 215 (FIG. 4) and cargo 210 resting on the
pallet so that the crane 100 may lift the cargo and pallet and load the
cargo and pallet onto the truck 1.

[0030] The sling 300 may include structural members, such as: a lifting
tongue 309, a yoke 302, and two or more (four shown) beams 303u,b; and
two or more (four shown) load lines 304. The structural members may be
any of the structural shapes, discussed above for the crane 1, and may be
made from any of the boom materials, discussed above. The tongue 309 may
include a lifting eye 301, a body 310, and a bracket 311. The lifting eye
301 may include one or more plates (eye plate and base plate shown)
connected to an upper end of the body 310, such as by welding, and may
receive the lifting hook connected to the crane load line 116. The
bracket 311 may include two or more plates and may be connected to a
lower end of the body 310, such as by welding.

[0031] The yoke 302 may have a set of holes 302h formed laterally
therethrough and spaced therealong and the bracket 311 may have one or
more (two shown) holes 311 h formed laterally through the plates thereof.
A location of the tongue 309 may be adjusted to suit a particular pallet
215 and/or cargo 210 by moving the bracket 311 longitudinally relative to
the yoke and inserting a beam fastener (not shown, see FIG. 4A of the
'184 application) into aligned holes. The beam fastener may be a pin and
clip, bolt and nut, or stud and nuts.

[0032] Alternatively, the lifting eye discussed and illustrated at FIGS.
3A and 3B in the '184 application may be used instead of the tongue 309.

[0033] The beams 303u,b may include a pair of upper beams 303u and a pair
of lower beams 303b. Each beam 303u,b may be a telescopic assembly
including an inner mandrel 306 and an outer housing 307 (housings 307 of
upper beams 303u shown in phantom). Each housing 307 may have a set of
holes 307h formed laterally therethrough and spaced therealong and each
mandrel 306 may have a corresponding set of holes 306h formed laterally
therethrough and spaced therealong. A length of each beam 303u,b may be
adjusted to suit a particular pallet 215 and/or cargo 210 by moving the
mandrel 306 longitudinally relative to the housing 307 and inserting
(another) beam fastener into aligned holes.

[0034] The yoke 302 may have a bracket 305 connected at each end thereof,
such as by welding, for receiving a respective one of the upper beams
303u. Each bracket 305 may include two or more plates and one or more
(two shown) holes 305h formed laterally through the plates. Each bracket
305 may be fastened to a respective upper beam 303u using the same
respective beam fastener used to fasten the respective upper housing 307
and mandrel 306. A location of the yoke 302 may be centralized relative
to the particular beam adjustment by moving the brackets 305
longitudinally relative to the respective beams 302u,b and inserting the
respective beam fastener into aligned holes.

[0035] A hanger 315 may be connected to an outer end of each mandrel 306
and an outer end of each housing 307 of the upper beam pair 303b. Each
hanger 315 may be adjustable to suit a height of a particular pallet 215
and/or cargo 210. Each hanger 315 may include a stopper 312, an upper
bracket 313, a lead screw 314, and a lower bracket 316. The upper bracket
313 may be connected to the respective outer end, such as by welding, for
receiving an upper end of the lead screw 314. The upper bracket 313 may
include two or more plates and a threaded hole 313n formed vertically
through a top one of the plates. A thread of the lead screw 314 may
correspond to a thread of the hole 313n such that rotation of the lead
screw relative to the upper bracket 313 may move the lead screw
vertically (upward or downward depending on rotation direction) relative
to the upper bracket. The stopper 312 may be a wing nut having a thread
also corresponding to that of the lead screw 314. Once the position of
the lead screw 314 is set, the stopper 312 may then be rotated until the
stopper shoulders against the upper bracket top plate, thereby locking
the lead screw into the set position.

[0036] The lower bracket 316 may receive an upper end of the respective
load line 304. The lower bracket 316 may include two or more plates and a
hole 316h formed laterally through the plates. Each lower bracket 316 may
be fastened to the respective load line 304 by (another) beam fastener
inserted through the respective load line and the hole 316h. Each load
line 304 may be a chain (shown) or a wire rope (not shown) and made any
of the crane load line materials, discussed above. The lower bracket 316
may also receive a lower end of the respective lead screw 314. The lower
bracket 316 may be connected to the respective lead screw 314, such as by
fastening or welding. The lower bracket 316 may further include a top
plate (not shown), similar to the upper bracket top plate, for the lead
screw connection. The lower bracket 316 may also be ergonomically
configured to be used as a handle by the driver for rotating the lead
screw 314.

[0037] Alternatively, each hanger 315 may be a turnbuckle. Alternatively,
as discussed and illustrated at FIGS. 3A-4G of the '184 application, a
bracket 308 of the lower beam pair 303b may be used instead of each
hanger 315 and the excess load line may be left to dangle.

[0038] Each of the mandrel 306 and housing 307 of the lower beam pair 303b
may have a bracket 308 connected to an outer end thereof. The bracket 308
may receive a lower end of the respective load line 304. The bracket 308
may include two or more plates and a hole 308h formed laterally through
the plates. Each bracket 308 may be fastened to the respective load line
304 by (another) beam fastener inserted through the respective load line
and the hole 308h.

[0039]FIG. 4 illustrates operation of the sling 300 with the
truck-mounted crane 100. Once the driver has backed the truck 1 into
proximity of the cargo 210, the driver may park the truck. The driver may
then exit the truck 1 and access the controller. The driver may then
raise the boom 105 to the vertical position by operating the PCAs 110.
The boom 105 may extend longitudinally away from the truck 1 in the
vertical position, thereby placing the winch 115 at a position to hoist
the cargo 210 located proximately behind the bumper 125. The driver may
then operate the winch 115 to lower the load line 116 to the cargo 210.
The driver may then fasten the sling 300 to the pallet 215 and the cargo
210.

[0040] To rig up the sling 300, the driver may measure a width of the
cargo and/or pallet to determine if the beams 303u,b need to be extended
(beams stowed in fully retracted position, shown). If necessary, the
driver may extend the beams 303u,b. The driver may then insert the lower
beams 303b into the pallet 215. The driver may then connect the sling
load lines 304 to the respective brackets 308. The driver may then
connect the tongue 309 to the yoke 302 and the yoke to the upper beams
303u (tongue, yoke, and beams stowed disassembled). The driver may then
connect the tongue 309 (with assembled yoke 302 and upper beams 303u) to
the crane load line 116 and slack the crane load line to rest the upper
beams on a top of the cargo 210. If necessary, the driver may adjust the
hangers 315 by measuring the height of the cargo 210 or using the load
line 304 to measure the height of the cargo 210. The hangers 315 may be
adjusted so that there is no or very little slack in the load lines 304.
Once the hangers 315 have been adjusted, the load lines 304 may be
connected to the respective hanger lower brackets 316.

[0041] The driver may then operate the winch 115 to hoist the cargo 210
and pallet 215 such that the pallet 215 is aligned with or just above the
bed 120. The driver may then operate the PCAs 110 to move the boom 105 to
the horizontal position. As the boom 105 is lowered to the horizontal
position, the winch 115 may carry the cargo 210 and pallet 215 forward
along a longitudinal path toward the cab 5 until the pallet 215 rests on
the bed 120, thereby also loading the cargo 210 and pallet onto the truck
1. The winch 115 may rest at a position proximate to a rear end of the
cab 5 in the horizontal position. Once in the horizontal position, the
driver may secure the cargo 210 to the frame 140. The load line 116 may
be left connected to the cargo 205 and serve as a back-up should the
cargo break-free of tie-downs. The driver may enter the truck 1 and
transport the cargo 210. Once reaching the destination, the driver may
unload the cargo by reversing operation of the crane 100 and sling 300.

[0042] While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present
invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised
without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is
determined by the claims that follow.